Ranking Donkey Kong Games From Best to Worst: Ultimate Guide
Donkey Kong, the iconic ape who first appeared in the 1981 arcade game, has been a cornerstone of Nintendo's success for decades. With a vast array of games across various platforms, ranking the best Donkey Kong games can be a challenging but rewarding task.
Top Tier: The Best Donkey Kong Games
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
This game stands out as a pinnacle of the series, offering polished gameplay, stunning visuals, and an exceptional soundtrack. Available on both the Wii U and Switch, it features Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong battling against the Snowmads to reclaim their island home. The game's diverse levels, secret areas, and challenging boss fights make it a must-play for any Donkey Kong fan.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Developed by Retro Studios, this game marked a significant return to form for the series, offering a rock-solid platforming experience with beautiful visuals and a more traditional Nintendo approach to level design. It is praised for its challenging yet rewarding gameplay and is available on the Wii and later ported to other platforms.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
This sequel to the original Donkey Kong Country is often cited as one of the best games in the series. It features Diddy Kong and newcomer Dixie Kong on a mission to rescue Donkey Kong from King K.Rool. The game boasts some of the best 2D platformer levels, a new Lost World area, and a higher level of challenge compared to its predecessor.
Highly Recommended Games
Donkey Kong Country
The original game that revolutionized the platformer genre with its pre-rendered 3D graphics and diverse levels. It remains a classic and a must-play for its historical significance and engaging gameplay.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
This game is unique for its use of the bongo drum controller, offering a fresh take on the platformer genre. It features a variety of levels and a fun, rhythmic gameplay mechanic that sets it apart from other Donkey Kong titles.
Diddy Kong Racing
Although Donkey Kong is not the main character, this game is notable for its innovative approach to the racing genre. It includes multiple vehicle types, boss battles, and a story mode that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
Notable Mentions
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem
This game is part of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series and offers a unique blend of puzzle and platformer elements. Players control Mini Marios to navigate through levels, making it a fun and challenging experience.
Donkey Kong '94
This Game Boy title is often praised for its faithfulness to the original arcade game while also introducing new levels and gameplay mechanics. It is a great example of how to adapt a classic game for a handheld platform.
Games That Could Be Improved
Donkey Kong 64
While it has its fans, Donkey Kong 64 is often criticized for its excessive collectible hunting and high difficulty level. The game features five playable characters and a variety of minigames, but its design flaws hold it back from being a top-tier title.
Donkey Kong Land Series
These Game Boy games are technical marvels but suffer from poor visibility due to the monochrome display. They are less enjoyable compared to their Super NES counterparts and are more of a curiosity for die-hard fans.
Games to Avoid
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
This NES game is more of an educational tool than a traditional Donkey Kong game, focusing on arithmetic rather than platforming. It is not recommended for those seeking a typical Donkey Kong experience.
Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade
While it has its fans, this game is essentially a second song pack for the original Donkey Konga. It lacks the innovation and depth of other games in the series.